Korina:

"Pregnancy and birth are sacred journeys where a mother becomes a vessel for God’s creative power. As a midwife, I have seen firsthand how beautifully God designed women to bring life into the world when given the care, respect, and encouragement they deserve. Both doulas and midwives play distinct yet complementary roles, creating a foundation for a mother to embrace the strength God has placed within her, trusting both her intuition and His guidance.

Doulas are like a steady presence in the storm, a mother’s emotional anchor during labor and beyond. Their role is to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support. A doula’s non-clinical care includes everything from hands-on comfort measures like applying counter-pressure during contractions to providing reassurance and encouragement when labor feels overwhelming. They also help fathers and family members step into their own roles as supportive companions.

One mother I worked with recently told me that her doula was “a lifeline.” The doula’s soft words and calming presence helped her breathe through each contraction, keeping her steady when fear crept in. Her husband, initially unsure of how to help, was guided by the doula to stay present and offer his own unique support. Together, they became a team, working in harmony to welcome their baby into the world.

Evidence supports the power of this kind of continuous care. According to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2017), women with doula support during labor experience fewer interventions such as cesareans or epidurals and report greater satisfaction with their births. This aligns with God’s design for childbirth: a process to be supported and protected, not interfered with unnecessarily.

Midwifery is more than a clinical role—it is a sacred calling. A midwife is not only a skilled healthcare provider but also a woman’s companion, encourager, and advocate. Unlike the over-medicalized models of modern maternity care, midwifery trusts in the God-given design of a woman’s body and places her at the center of her own care.

As midwives, we provide expert clinical support, monitoring the baby’s heart rate, assessing labor progress, and managing any potential complications. But midwifery extends far beyond clinical tasks. It is about meeting women where they are, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I have knelt beside mothers in dimly lit rooms, holding their hands, praying with them, and encouraging them to trust in God’s timing and their instincts. I’ve seen women breathe deeply, surrender their strength to Him, and find the courage to bring life into the world with grace and determination.

Midwifery care also emphasizes holistic health. Nutrition, for example, is foundational to a mother’s well-being during pregnancy and beyond. Addressing deficiencies ensures the health of not only her growing baby but also her own long-term wellness. I’ve worked with mothers who came to me malnourished or lacking key nutrients, and through simple, nourishing changes, they regained their strength, had healthy pregnancies, and felt equipped for the postpartum period. This is a reflection of God’s care for His creation—when we steward the body well, it flourishes.

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Midwifery reminds us of the importance of stillness and surrender in birth. Today’s medicalized environments often introduce fear and hurry, but in God’s design, birth unfolds in His timing. Women who are supported and empowered to trust their instincts often find birth to be a profoundly spiritual experience.

The relationship between a midwife and a doula is like the harmony of two parts of a whole. A doula focuses exclusively on the mother’s emotional and physical comfort, while the midwife intertwines clinical care with emotional and spiritual guidance. Together, they ensure the mother feels seen, heard, and respected.

Psalm 127:3 reminds us, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (ESV). Doulas and midwives honor this truth by creating an environment of trust and peace where mothers can embrace the sacredness of birth. I have witnessed countless births where a mother, surrounded by her birth team, found the courage to surrender to the process. Through her labor, she connected deeply with God, drawing on His strength to bring her baby into the world.

Perhaps the most profound truth about birth is this: God created women with the wisdom and strength to bring life into the world. When women are supported by skilled and compassionate care, they can trust in their God-given instincts. The over-medicalization of birth often robs women of this trust, introducing fear where there should be faith. But when a mother is reminded of God’s promises and encouraged to lean into His guidance, birth becomes an act of worship and surrender.

I have seen mothers labor in peace, surrounded by prayer and encouragement, allowing God to guide them through the most intense moments. In those times, birth transcends the physical and becomes a reflection of His power and provision. As Psalm 139:13-14 beautifully says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Birth is a reflection of this truth—fearfully and wonderfully made.

Ultimately, the roles of both the midwife and the doula are about honoring the sacredness of life and empowering mothers to walk in the fullness of their God-given abilities. A mother is not just a patient—she is the guide and guardian of her own journey, equipped by her Creator with the instincts and strength to birth her child.

As doulas and midwives, we have the privilege of walking alongside her, protecting the sacred space of birth, and creating an environment where she can surrender to God’s provision. When a mother births in peace, trusting His guidance, the experience becomes a testimony to His goodness and love.